There will be a time when renewable energy is abundant and affordable, when cures for common diseases like cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer’s and HIV/AIDS will be found, when clean water will be accessible by all and clean living will be ubiquitous, when mankind will be safe in the face of cataclysmic forces of nature. And the people who will make that happen are researching now to understand the root causes of problems and to apply their intelligence and ingenuity to answer the great questions in science, engineering and medicine.

ARCSFoundation Portland supports and nurtures young American women and men in doctoral programs at Oregon Health & Science University, Oregon State University and the University of Oregon to take on the science challenges of today and tomorrow. Oregonians are, by nature, pioneering and tenacious, looking for new ideas and ways of improving our lives. More than 100 women in ARCSFoundation Portland are drawn to the bright light generated by the brilliant students we are helping to attract to Oregon.

ARCSFoundation Portland is one of 17 ARCSFoundation Chapters nationwide, operating independently under the umbrella of ARCSFoundation National. The Portland Chapter incorporated in 2004 and since then has awarded more than 150 scholar awards totaling $2.5 million.

Oregon is a land of lush landscapes, environmental conscientiousness, out-of-the-box thinking and fanatical foodies that spawns a welcoming populace, great neighborhoods, community activism and gargantuan local pride. The Portland Chapter is an organization of generous friends fiercely determined to stimulate our intellectual curiosity. We do that while advocating for groundbreaking discoveries and for placing American scientists at the forefront of their fields.